Fluid reservoir for modular systems

ABSTRACT

A module, particularly on motorized or automotive vehicles, comprising parts such as a housing and/or shrouds or the like and fluid reservoirs containing fluids, such as heat exchange fluids and the like, is provided. Advantageously, the reservoir comprises one or more leak proof flow through holes or openings. The module has a first part or a carrier or shroud, that, when properly aligned or positioned relative to a second part or fluid reservoir, provides for a through flow of air from the front to the back of the first part and second part aligned combination.

This application claims priority of provisional application U.S. Ser.No. 60/605,806 filed Aug. 31, 2004

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cooling systems, and, in particular, toautomotive cooling systems, wherein coolant expansion changes need to bemanaged efficiently. It further relates to motorized or automotivemodules, and, in particular, modules that comprise heat exchangers andfluid reservoirs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In modern day motorized or automotive cooling systems, coolant expansionchanges must be efficiently managed for overall effective functioning ofsuch systems. Expansion changes have often been managed by use ofreserve bottles or reservoirs or the like. The prior art has oftenprovided for the use of such reservoirs as a separate part attached inthe engine compartment to an engine cooling module or to other vehiclecomponents or structure.

Vehicle modules, and, in particular, modules comprising heat exchangersand some sort of fluid chamber or reservoir are known in the art. U.S.Pat. No. 3,692,004, Tangue, et al, issued Sep. 19, 1972, discloses a fanshroud and fluid storage chamber arrangement wherein radiator fluid andwindshield washer fluid chambers are provided integrally molded onopposite side surfaces of the cylindrical wall surrounding the air flowopening. Other patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,587, Plant, issuedJul. 22, 1997, disclose fan shroud and receptacle arrangements in whichthere is a shaped hollow body. Oppositely disposed recesses are formedin a front and rear face of the fan shroud to form a wall for dividingthe hollow body into two or more internal fluid storage chambers.

Modern engine design often now includes a plurality of chambers forengine coolant fluid. The fluid must circulate through the radiator corefor the usual cooling process. The cooling process is often supplementedby addition of a fan, such as an independently driven electric fan fromthe engine or driven by a belt by a crank shaft on the engine itself.

Such aids are necessary, of course, due to the fact that there is anever present need to have more efficient heat exchange in the area ofthe radiator and accompanying components in a cooling system, and,therefore, new and/or improved means to increase cooling are desirablein motor vehicle applications.

Several attempts have been made to integrate parts, such as cooingsystem reservoirs, into other parts, such as radiator fan shrouds. Ingeneral, overall approaches to reservoir placement and/or integration,as seen in the prior art, have focused on: 1) providing for a separatebottle on the shroud; 2) providing for a bottle integrated in the shroudby a blow molding process; or 3) providing for a part of a bottle to beintegrated in to the fan shroud by an injection molding process.Typically, a fan shroud is a shroud useful for placing in front of or inback of a fan, depending of its orientation, wherethrough air flowsthrough the shroud prior to or after being pulled, pushed or otherwisedirected by the fan.

W00139949, published Jun. 7, 2001, to Mccord Winn Textron, provides fora reservoir included in the many different configurations by blowmolding. U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,744, issued Mar. 28, 2000, to Oota et al.,provides for coolant use solutions whereby part of a reservoir body isinjection molded as an integral part of the radiator fan shroudstructure. These general approaches, however, have yielded highlyundesirable affects—they, in most cases, end up having reservoirs orbottles that eventually block the air flow path so desired for efficientcooling of modern automotive heat exchangers and cooling systems. Invirtually all of the above-mentioned solutions, blockage or diversion ofair or ‘air paths’ so critical for efficient cooling of modern daysystems, occurs, as the bottles or reservoirs are often placed, forexample, either directly or indirectly in front of, or in back of, theautomotive fan should.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,062, issued Oct. 26, 1999, to Sadr et al, a fanshroud comprising a housing provide with an opening for permitting airflow through the front and rear walls, the walls being described ascoextensive, substantially continuous surfaces defining therebetweenuniform molded fluid storage thickness. The housing has at least twomolded fluid storage chambers comprising a one piece housing comprisedof the front and back walls, and, at least one molded fluid storagechamber comprising a plurality of individual storage modules withinterconnections. However, this arrangement does not acknowledge orattempt to solve the problem of placement of such components inefficient engine cooling modules or systems. The placement of such astorage chamber ‘behind’ or aligned with a through hole in the housingor shroud, is not described.

The need, therefore, that developed out of modern engine cooling systemrequirements, still exists for a vehicle, and, in particular a vehiclesuch as an automotive vehicle with a module or modular fluid system,that not only serves a storage function, but ideally aids in theachievement of higher and/or more efficient levels of heat exchange andcost effective. Such a need, particularly exists to handle therequirements of modern automotive engine cooling demands. The presentinvention addresses this need, while, at the same time providing aheretofore unrecognized use of a reservoir as part of a module with theadded effect of not only having decreased, or reduced costs, but also,potentially, an increased thermal exchange.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to modules, such as modules with elementsor components used in heat exchange, particularly for vehicles, such asmotorized or automotive vehicles. So called ‘engine cooling’ modules or‘front end modules’ or carriers or bolsters, in accordance with thepresent invention, further comprise elements or components, often usedin assemblies useful for efficient heat exchange, particularly suitedfor automotive or motorized vehicle fluid or liquid circulating orcooling systems. In preferred aspects of the present invention, a bottleor reservoir is provided that has, as a dual function, storage of aliquid or fluid and, in particular, a fluid capable of heat exchange(fluid reservoir), while allowing improved overall or more efficientcooling by the module or assembly. Also this invention covers thescenario where more than one fluid are handled through reservoirs whichare separately integrated or made of multiple separated chambers of thereservoir. The present invention, by providing for both functions in asingle module or assembly, leads to cost benefits over prior art bottleand shroud or similar combinations.

In preferred aspects of the present invention, a reservoir, chamber,bottle or the like (fluid reservoir) is provided as an integrated orseparate part of an assembly and/or module, such as an engine cooling orfront end module or bolster. Preferably the fluid reservoir has at leastone opening (slot). The fluid reservoir maintains its fluid(s) withinits confines or walls. In the present invention, an area or zone of thewalls of the fluid reservoir is constructed so as to form at least onepassageway or opening in the fluid reservoir (slot) where air can passthrough the fluid reservoir without contacting the fluid therein.Preferably, the fluid reservoir has two or more slots at areas or zoneswhere the reservoir is exposed to the exterior environment or outsideair at the exterior surface of the reservoir and exposed to the fluidinside on the interior surface of the reservoir. Preferably, at leastone or two or more holes or opening(s) (slot(s)) is a through slot,i.e., the slot allows for air to pass or flow from the front or initialair flow contact area of the fluid reservoir to the opposite, back orposterior side of the fluid reservoir, front and back being determinedby the placement of the fluid reservoir in the module and the directionof air flow in the normal environment of the engine cooling module orsystem. In preferred embodiments, since the air normally passes or flowsover or is pushed or pulled through from the anterior or front end ofthe automobile to the posterior or back end of the vehicle, the fluidreservoir is placed such that the air can pass or flow, be pushed orpulled through the slot or slots in the fluid reservoir under normalvehicle operation conditions, from one side to the other of thereservoir in such as fashion that the fluid reservoir preserves thefunction of bottle as a reservoir (maintaining fluids within withoutleakage or outside contact) while also allowing for improved cooling. Byproviding for through slots through the fluid reservoir for air passage,air flow that normally would be blocked or stopped by certain elementsassociated with other modules or assemblies of the vehicle, such as, forexample, bolsters, shrouds or the like in a fan assembly in a vehicle,is no longer blocked and can pass or flow over or ‘through’ areas orzones of the fluid reservoir previously inaccessible in prior artvehicles. The present invention provides, therefore, for air to pass orflow through areas wherein previously inefficient, practicallyinexistent or inappropriate heat exchange could occur or dead zones,thereby increasing the heat exchange capacity of the entire module.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the presence of such throughslots, and, in particular, slots formed by partitions or divisions inthe fluid reservoir forming chambers or sections, in the fluidreservoirs can be especially important. For example, preferredembodiments of the present invention allow for air to get through toareas where efficient heat exchange can occur, particularly when thevehicle is moving at high speeds, that would not be achievable due toconditions such as fan ‘block’; minimalized passage due to reservoir‘block’ wherein there are no through slots or openings; or wherein thefan output cannot keep up with the desired exchange of air over the heatexchange surface of the heat exchanger alone due to the increase volumeand/or velocity of air passage. By having the reservoir, and, inparticular, one or more slots of the reservoir, partially aligned, or,preferably, in at least 50% alignment, with and, even more preferably,at least between 70-100% aligned with at least one opening in the shroudor other modular part, simplicity, lower cost and improved systemperformance and competitiveness occur over current solutions. The slotor, preferably, slots, can be of practically any shape, such as round,square, oval, rectangular, triangular or any other shape or modificationof one of the basic shapes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a prior art shroud with major part of thereservoir injection molded and with one opening for fan;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a prior art where injection molded shroud havetwo openings for fans where blow molded fluid reservoir is attached tothe shroud mechanically;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a prior art blow molded shroud on the topsection having two separate chambers for two different fluids and bottomsection is injection molded;

FIG. 4 a is a front view of shroud and reservoir with at least oneopening to allow air passage and at least one slot bearing fluidreservoir, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 b is a front view of the shroud only showing the openings;

FIG. 4 c is a front view of a reservoir bearing at least one slot inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are front and rear views, respectfully, of a shroudwith reservoir having at least one opening and one slot in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of shroud plus fluid reservoir showingdetailed features in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 7 a is a partial section view of along line 960-960 of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 7 b and 7 c show prior art without through holes or slots alongpartial section view;

FIG. 8 is front view of a blow molded shroud with at least one openingtherethrough, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are alternative views of fluid reservoirs and openings orslots, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, FIG. 9having more than one slot, FIG. 10 having one slot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a module comprising a housing or shroud,or, preferably, a housing and shroud, the housing, shroud or housing andshroud having, preferably, front and rear walls and top and bottom wallsor structures. The housing or shroud or housing and shroud has ordefines at least one hole or opening, and, preferably, two or more holesor openings, to permit air flow through the front and back walls orstructures of the housing, shroud or housing and shroud. The at leastone hole or opening is a through hole or opening. The present inventionalso provides for at least one fluid reservoir, and, in particular, afluid reservoir, that may contain fluids useful for heat exchangeapplications. The at least one fluid reservoir has at least on one holeor opening (slot), and, preferably, two or more holes or openings(slots), to permit air flow through externally through the slot orslots, from the front to the back of the reservoir. At least one of theat least one fluid reservoirs is partially, more preferably, fullyaligned with at least one hole or opening of the housing, shroud orhousing and shroud such that the air flows through the front and backwalls or structures of the housing, shroud or housing and shroud, and atleast partially, and preferably, more than 50%, more preferably, up toabout 100% of the air flow that flows through the front and back wallsor structures of the housing, shroud or housing and shroud at the holeor opening flows through at least one fluid reservoir through the slotor slots of the fluid reservoir.

The fluid reservoir can be made of various materials, including metal ormetallic materials or alloys, preferably steel or alloys.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fluid reservoiris made of a resin or resin like material. Most preferred materials arefilled or unfilled plastic or plastic like materials.

As described above, prior art techniques included having a blow moldedbottle attached to a shroud, often integrated into the blow moldedshroud or, in certain cases, injection molded, having a part of thebottle body with separate cover, or in some cases, an integral orintegrated cover included as a part of the shroud. The presentinvention, in preferred embodiments, provides for an assembly or‘module’ or assembly having a carrier or ‘bolster’, particularly for usein motorized or automobile cooling systems, having, a fluid reservoireither positioned to be free standing, or as an integrated part of amodule or attached thereto.

The module or bolster may be produced by a variety of methods such asmolding. Particularly preferred are modules that include a shroud, suchas a fan shroud, that can be molded. Also preferred are modules thathave blown or injection molded features. More preferred are modules thatinclude structural features that have openings therein to provide forair passage from the front to the back, or back to the front end of amodule, in particular, a front end module. Also more preferred aremodules that include structural features that have openings therein, anda fluid reservoir placed in front of or behind the openings. Even morepreferred are modules that have reservoirs that have slots therein thatcorrespond directly with or are aligned with the openings of themodules. Also even more preferred are modules that have at least oneshroud, such as a fan shroud, the fan shroud having, at least, oneopening for the fan, as well as, in preferred embodiments, at least oneadditional opening in the shroud for air passage from the front to theback end of the shroud (shroud opening), and a fluid reservoir, whereinthe fluid reservoir has at least one slot whereby air can pass from thefront to the back of the reservoir, and wherein the at least one slot isplaced behind or downstream of the at least one opening, or, preferably,one additional opening in the shroud, and the at least one slot on thefluid reservoir is at least partially aligned, more preferred almostdirectly aligned, with the opening in the shroud, so that a substantialamount, and, preferably, a majority of the air flow that passes throughthe shroud opening subsequently passes through the slot of thereservoir.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the shroud orbolster, and, most preferably, the shroud, is a blow or injection moldedshroud although other shaping methods can be used to form the shroud orfront end carrier or ‘bolsters’. In more preferred embodiments of thepresent invention wherein the reservoir or reservoirs are injectionmolded, the fluid reservoir has partitions or divisions which create theat least one slot within the fluid reservoir, while allowing thereservoir to remain leak-free. In preferred embodiments with reservoirswith partitions or divisions, chambers or sections are also created bythe partitions or divisions form to form separate parts or areas in thefluid reservoir.

In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, a shroud isprovided. The reservoir, in more preferred embodiments, is blow moldedand is a separate element or part attached to or fixed on or against theshroud or between the shroud and other elements or parts of the module.In other more preferred embodiments, the shroud is blow molded, and thereservoir (or reservoirs) is integrated via the blow molding process,into the shroud.

In the modules of the present invention, other parts than reservoirs andshrouds, can also be integrated or attached to or as part of the module.In preferred embodiments, for example, a line or ‘hose’ can beintegrated into the module in an area, such as particularly, a shroud,and, in particular, a fan shroud. The line or hose is, therefore,integrated into the module at an area such as the shroud.

In addition, also in preferred embodiments of the present invention, ameans, such as a reservoir filling or relief means such as a fluidcommunication point, is, provided. A fluid communication point asdescribed herein, is a means for allowing ingress or egress of fluidfrom the fluid reservoir. A fluid communication point can, therefore,can consist of a single hole, slot or channel, port, hose, connector orthe like that allows for fluid communication either into or out of thereservoir. Said reservoir filling or relief means can be of the form ofan opening, preferably an opening with cap or top which covers part ofthe reservoir wherein filling with fluid or relief of pressure canoccur, as well as a sealing area where the cap or top and the fluidreservoir meet. Such reservoir filling means may be made of a number ofmaterials. Preferably, said filling or relief means is made of amaterial capable of being deformable to form a seal at the seal area.More preferred materials are plastic or plastic like or resin or resinlike material. In more preferred embodiments the top or cap can beintegrated in design with the reservoir itself or another part, morepreferably with the reservoir itself, and comprise a means, such as ahinging means or ‘living hinge design’ which allows the manufacture ofintegrated cap. As recognized in the industry, the living hinge allows ajoint between two parts which is flexible to allow movement betweencomponents, specifically for assembly and disassembly. In preferredembodiments of the present invention, the living hinge, therefore, canopen and close the cap for filling and sealing the fluid.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a fluid reservoirwith at least one slot or opening, and, preferably, at least two‘through holes’ or ‘through openings’, (through slots) is provided. Thethrough slots can be of any size or shape desired. Preferably, thethrough slots can be aerodynamically designed to allow smooth air flow.The fluid reservoir can consist of single or multiple chambers orcompartments to hold different fluids. In preferred embodiments, thefluid reservoir can have channels (interior) or grooves (exterior) onthe surfaces. Preferably, the external grooves allow for additional airto be directed towards a through slot or opening, depending on theorientation of the fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir may also havepartitions, tabs or walls on the interior of the reservoir. Thepartitions, tabs or walls on the interior of the fluid reservoir can actas either structural supports for the fluid reservoir or as features toreduce ‘buoyancy’ or extreme fluid movements within the reservoir thatmay be influenced or influence the effect of the through passage of theair or the overall performance of the heat exchange of the fluid. Bypartitions, tabs or walls it is understood that these are projections,either completely from the interior of one part of the reservoir to theinterior of another part of the fluid reservoir, or incompletely,extending from the interior of one part of the reservoir towards theinterior of the reservoir, and can be formed either internally,externally, or through other means that cause the reservoir to haveprojections or other structures that influence the distribution or flowof fluid through the reservoir. The fluid reservoir can be made out ofalmost any material capable of being formed or molded for use inautomotive or motorized module or assemblies, particularly heat exchangeor engine cooling modules or assemblies, more particularly fan andshroud type assemblies, and more particularly front end module typeassembly or ‘bolsters’.

Preferably the fluid reservoir is made of plastic or plastic like orresin or resin-type materials. Also the reservoir can be made oftransparent, semi-transparent or opaque material to allow fluidvisibility for service and fill. Also the reservoir can have local areasformed which are transparent, semi-transparent or opaque where colormatching is needed. Where color matching is needed dip sticks areprovided to measure the level of fluid within the reservoir.

The fluid reservoir of various aspects of the present invention mayextend partially or fully across the surface of a bolster, housing,shroud or housing and shroud. The fluid reservoir may further comprisean expansion tank for use with various fluids. Other embodiments of thepresent invention include direct connections via tubes, hoses or thelike, between fluid reservoir and heat exchange devices, e.g. radiators.

The present invention provides for the flow through of air from the‘front’ to the ‘back’ of a module, including its constituent parts, atspecific areas of the module. In preferred embodiments, air flow passesnot only through openings in parts such as the shroud, but also throughthe fluid reservoir itself, at particularly desired locations. Inpreferred embodiments of the present invention, a shroud having at leastone through hole or opening and a fluid reservoir having at least oneslot is provided, the at least one through slot of the reservoir atleast partially aligned, and, more preferably, fully aligned (to providefor maximum air flow through), with the at least one through hole oropening of the shroud, and attached or fitted in such a manner that theat least one through slot of the reservoir and the at least one throughhole of the shroud remain in at least partial alignment while thevehicle is in operation.

By providing for a reservoir or reservoir sections with a slot or slotsat locations that either partially or fully align with housing, housingand shroud or other module parts to provide through-flow of air from thefront to the back of the module, the placement of the holes or openingsat the desired locations lead to improve air passage providing higherheat exchange and thus more efficient systems.

In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, a shroud orfront end carrier or bolster is provided. The shroud or front endcarrier is, preferably, molded, more preferably, injection molded orblow molded or rotational molded, though it may be made from sheet metalor magnesium, casted or compression molded or resin casted or hollowmolded, lost core molded, insert molded or overmolded, etc. In preferredembodiments, the injection molded shroud or front end carrier isproduced to have an integrated, (i.e. one piece design or totallyincorporated/integrated design), with the at least one fluid reservoirand slots are provided at the desired location to allow air to passthrough from the front to the back of the shroud with integrated fluidreservoir. In other preferred embodiments, the shroud is injectionmolded or front end carrier or bolster is injection molded. In morepreferred embodiments, the injection molded shroud or carrier has a twoor more piece or part design or a non-totally incorporated ornon-integrated design. In these more preferred embodiments, the piecesor parts have at least one opening, and, if more than one opening,preferably, the majority of openings, more preferably, all openings,aligned with slots and each other such that when they are joined by anyliquid tight operation (i.e. when the parts are fixed or attached toeach other without allowing for a reservoir breech or leak area tooccur) they provide openings and slot combinations for air to passthrough from the front to the back of the shroud plus additional pieceor part of the fluid reservoir. These opening or slots can also haveflaps or covers. Though flaps or covers in areas away from the reservoirare known, the use of flaps or covers for slots as in the presentinvention have the advantage of being controlled to adapt to the needsof the vehicle when air is needed the most; for example the flaps willopen at high speeds where fan becomes a blockage and cooling systemneeds more air.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, prior art designs are shown of shrouds, a priorart injection molded shroud with mechanically attached blow moldedbottle; and a prior art blow molded shroud.

FIG. 1 shows the prior art configuration (100) where shroud body (101)is injection molded which has an opening for fan (104), additionalopenings for air passage (103), partially integrated bottle body (102)and a cap with necessary interfaces (105).

FIG. 2 shows the prior art configuration (200) where injection moldedshroud body (201) has openings for fans (203 & 204), has separatereservoir (202) with interface feature (205) which is mechanicallyattached at three points (206, 207) and (208).

FIG. 3 shows the prior art configuration (300) where top section (302)of the shroud is blow molded having two separate chambers (303) and(304) for two different fluids, has opening for fan to pull air (305),has interface for each fluids (306) and (307), has blocked area (308)and reservoir sections, has bottom section (301) injection molded andattached to top section (302) through mechanical means at (309) and(310).

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b illustrate an embodiment in accordance with an aspectof the present invention. Plastic reservoir part (400) is shaped toprovide walls (407, 409) which provide openings which align completelyor almost completely with opening (510, 509) of the shroud. (504, 503)are area for placement of the fan in the shroud where no reservoir isfound. FIG. 4 c shows a reservoir as a separate part (600) with holes oropenings (610, 609) for alignment with housing, shroud or housing andshroud, closing means or cap wherein a connection such as an elbowconnection (605) is shown, (606, 607) and (608) are mechanicalattachment means provided to attach to shroud or other components of themodule.

FIG. 4 a illustrates contrastively the present invention over prior artsuch as that referenced in FIG. 2. (400) has injection molded shroudbody (401) and reservoir (402) mechanically attached to shroud body(401) through (406,407) and (408). The assembly has slots (409) and(410) for air to pass through. The reservoir (402) has interface forfluid communication connection (405). The assembly has openings for fan(403) and (404).

FIG. 4 b illustrates shroud body (501) showing the details of theopenings (509) and (510).

FIG. 4 c shows the inventions and improvement specific to reservoir body(600) showing the details of the slots (609) and (610).

FIG. 5 a and b shroud (701) body is shown, with flow through hole oropenings (810) (811) in the shroud body and flow through hole inreservoir body (709) (710). Fluid reservoir (702) is molded as aseparate part and joined to shroud at joint (706) forming a chamber,cavity or space (712) for retaining fluid.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an injection molded shroud with separate parts, puttogether by joining technologies such as bonding, welding, hollowmolding, or the like. Preferred is plastic welding or adhesive bonding,also preferred is hollow molding and the like. Sealing features (912),closing means or cap (705, 905) wherein a connection such as an elbowconnection (not shown) can be positioned, as well as a line/hoseconnection for return. Plastic reservoir part (702) is shaped to provideslots (709,710) which align completely or almost completely with opening(809, 810) of the shroud as well as a line/hose connection (706) forreturn.

In FIG. 5 is shown an injection molded fluid reservoir as a separatepart used in combination with the shroud. Reservoir (702) with slots(709) and (710) is aligned with shroud holes (809) and (810) to allowair to pass through and allow the heat exchanger area to be increased,thereby leading to higher heat exchange capacity and/or heat exchangerefficiency, especially at high speeds.

FIG. 5 a comparatively, shows advantages over prior art reference FIG. 1of the present invention in frontal isometric view. (700) has injectionmolded shroud body (701) and part of the reservoir body (702) joinedwith fluid tight operation to seal parting line (712) between shroud andreservoir body. The openings in the shroud and reservoir body for airpassages are illustrated as (709) and (710) respectively. Reservoir bodyor shroud body can have other parts integral or separate such as fluidinterface (706) and (705) for required fluid communication. Also shroudbody in the non-reservoir area has air passage openings (711) andopening for fan (714).

FIG. 5 b shows a rear isometric view of FIG. 5 a. (800) shows slots(809) and

-   -   (810), as well as openings for air passage in the non-reservoir        section (811) and opening for fan (804).

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention. (906) provides for fluid communication betweenreservoir and the external components.

FIG. 6 illustrates in more detail, an embodiment similar to thatdescribed in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b. (900) shows the details of openings(909) and (910), the partial body of fluid reservoir (902) joined atparting section (a plane or area where two parts are joined) (912) tothe shroud or carrier body (901). The fluid interface or communicationfeatures means are illustrated as (905) and (906) on the reservoir sideof the body (902) although it could alternatively be on shroud side ifthe parting section or joint plane is changed such that the section‘moves’ on shroud body (901). Two part construction (not shown) andmultiple parting sections, may also be used. Slots (909, 910) areillustrated, as well as shroud non-reservoir openings (911). The fluidcommunication means allows fluid movement to occur between a tube ortubes (not shown) that can be connected, for example, at port 906 or ata reservoir filling area such as an opening port shown here preferablywith a cap or top. Optional flap 913 to cover or close slot is alsoillustrated.

FIG. 7 a illustrates an embodiment in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention. Shroud body (1001) is shown with hole or openings(1010) and (1009). The shroud is part of the body of the reservoir, withthe separated molded part (1002) joined to the shroud to form a space(1013) for retaining fluid. Optional flap (1011) that can be in variableopen or closed positions over a slot or slots of the reservoir is alsoillustrated. FIGS. 7 b and 7 c, show the prior art where two parts arejoined, with no openings or holes for air passage.

FIG. 7 a shows the section view (1000) which is section (960) as shownin FIG. 6. Here shroud (1001) forms part of the reservoir body and restof the body of the reservoir is formed by (1002) and when joined at(1012) forms body of the reservoir (1013) with air slots (1009) and(1010). Section (1000) also illustrates one of the fluid communicationpath (1006). Not illustrated here is that many different joints can beenvisioned which can allow more than one reservoirs formed.

FIG. 7 b shows prior art where the section shows no provision for airpassages. The wall 18 meets or joined to wall 20 extending to form50(a), 52 and 50 b and 60 a representing the reservoir areas.

FIG. 7 c shows prior art where the section again shows no provision forair passages such as in FIG. 7 a, as wall 18 extending the height andwall (20) extends to form chambers or reservoirs (52) and (62), therebynot allowing passage of air through the joined component.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention. The shroud blocks heat exchanger surface openingsexcept where provided for at (1108). FIG. 8 further illustrates thepresent invention and improvement over for example prior art referencedin the FIG. 3 in frontal view. (1100) has shroud made in two parts(1101) and (1102); which can be made in one part if needed. The airopening for fan to push or pull air is illustrated at (1105). Anelectrically or hydraulically driven fan, if needed, can be providedwith a separate fan mounting structure can be added to (100) (notshown). The top section of shroud (1102) is blow molded to have twoseparate sections (1103) and (1104) for two different fluids. Separatesections can have fluid communication means such as shown as examples at(1111) and (1112). Also provided for are fluid fill and serviceinterfaces (1106) or (1007). Such reservoirs can carry pumps and sensors(not shown) to satisfy system needs. Sections (1101) and (1102) arejoined mechanically at (1109) and (1110, 1100) has openings in reservoirareas at location (1108). One or ordinary skill in the art can envisionembodiments in different areas of reservoir, depending on the need forair based on the requirements of the specific system. Also as describedpreviously the reservoir slots through which air passes can be equippedwith flaps or covers to manage the air flow.

As described in above figures it is envisioned similar improvements onshrouds and front end carriers or bolsters.

FIG. 9 shows fluid communication paths to and or from the reservoir.Slot (1209) and (1210) are created in the assembly (1200) as describedpreviously in fluid reservoir (1202) and shroud (1201). Opening (1211)in shroud (1201) is shown in a non-reservoir area. The reservoir isshown with section (1213) a more transparent section compared to theremaining assembly. The small transparent section allows highertransparency even when the other part of the assembly is not transparentenough to allow one to see the level of the fluid; or section (1213) ismade transparent enough to allow one to see the level of the fluid inthe reservoir. This difference in transparency can be achieved by manydifferent means such as by using completely different material forsection (1213) compared to reservoir body material or creating a thinnerwall section in the area needed for fluid level visibility in reservoiror shroud which allows improved visibility. Alternatively, if section(1213) is not present, the entire reservoir may be made out of highertransparency material.

FIG. 10 illustrates a fluid reservoir configuration (1300) with fluidpath (1305, 1309) to and or from the reservoir (1301), with one thoughslot (1302). One or more opening in the shroud or housing (not shown)are in at least partial, and, preferably a majority of an opening oropenings, in complete alignment with the slot.

The reservoirs described in the preferred aspects of the presentinvention can be built to be used for fluids provided in pressurizedenvironments or more hostile conditions of temperature and pressure, orfor fluids used in more normal atmospheric and other conditions, or forboth, depending on the fluid needs of the vehicle (automotives fluids).Examples of automotive fluids that can be used in the present inventioninclude without limitations radiator coolant, windshield washer fluid,automotive oils such as transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brakefluid etc. Within the reservoirs, the holes or opening provide a lowerinertia when fluid is in motion when higher vibration conditions areencountered during working vehicle conditions. The optional ‘overflow’or ‘expansion’ bottles or chambers that may be directly or indirectlyconnected to the fluid reservoir, are placed at a level superior to theheat exchanger, such as the radiator, itself, in its normal workingorientation. More preferably, the automotive fluids are radiators fluidor coolants.

Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the variousstructures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of theinvention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Pluralstructural components can be provided by a single integrated structure.Alternatively, a single integrated structure might be divided intoseparate plural components. In addition, while a feature of the presentinvention may have been described in the context of only one of theillustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or moreother features of other embodiments, for any given application. It willalso be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the uniquestructures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods inaccordance with the present invention.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed. Aperson of ordinary skill in the art would realize however, that certainmodifications would come within the teachings of this invention.Therefore, the following claims should be studied to determine the truescope and content of the invention.

1. A module particularly for motorized or automotive vehicles having anelement for providing efficient heat exchange for the vehiclecomprising: a housing; at least one fluid reservoir for an automotivefluid; at least one fluid communication point on or adjacent to the atleast one fluid reservoir; at least one hole or opening in the housingthrough which air can flow; at least one slot in the fluid reservoirthrough which air can flow; wherein the at least one hole or opening inthe housing is at least partially aligned with the at least one slot inthe fluid reservoir so that air can flow through both the housing andthe fluid reservoir.
 2. A module, according to claim 1, wherein thehousing is positioned such that air flows through it prior to flowingthrough the fluid reservoir.
 3. A module according to claim 1, whereinthe housing is positioned such that air flows through it after flowingthrough the reservoir.
 4. A module according to claim 1, wherein thefluid reservoir has a closing means.
 5. A module according to claim 1,wherein the point of fluid communication is port, hose or connector. 6.A module according to claim 1, further comprising a fan and a shroud. 7.A module according to claim 6, wherein the shroud is a fan shroud andwherein at least part of the air flow through the housing and fluidreservoir is drawn or blown through the at least one opening and atleast one slot.
 8. A module according to claim 7, wherein the at leastone slot of the at least one fluid reservoir is placed away from and notin the line of direct air flow with the air flow coming through themodule to or from the fan through the fan shroud.
 9. A module of avehicle, and, particularly a motorized or automotive vehicle, having anelement for providing efficient heat exchange for the vehiclecomprising: a front end carrier or bolster; a least one fluid reservoirfor an automotive fluid; a means for providing fluid to the fluidreservoir; at least one hole or opening in the front end carrier orbolster through which air can flow; at least one slot in the fluidreservoir through which air can flow; wherein the at least one hole oropening in the front end carrier or bolster is at least partiallyaligned with the at least one slot in the fluid reservoir so that aircan flow through both the front end carrier or bolster and the fluidreservoir.
 10. A module as in claim 9, wherein the at least one hole oropening in the front end carrier or bolster is completely or almostcompletely aligned with the at least one slot in the fluid reservoir.11. A modules as in claim 10, wherein the carrier or bolster and fluidreservoir is directly or indirectly attached or molded to one another.12. A module as in claim 11, wherein there are at least two holes oropenings in the front end carrier or bolster.
 13. A module as in claim8, wherein the fluid reservoir is blow molded.
 14. A module as in claim12, wherein the fluid reservoir is blow molded.
 15. A module as in claim1 wherein the housing is a one part housing.
 16. A module as in claim 1wherein the housing is comprised of more than one part.
 17. A module foruse in environments requiring efficient heat exchange comprising: afirst part wherein no fluid capable of heat exchange is stored or flows;a second part wherein a fluid capable of heat exchange is stored orflows; a means for providing fluid to the second part; at least one flowthrough hole or opening in the first part through which air can flow; atleast one flow through hole or opening in the second part through whichair can flow; wherein the at least one flow through hole or opening inthe first part is at least partially aligned with the at least one flowthrough hole or opening in the second part so that air can flow throughboth the first part and the second part reservoir.